Akai Amx Ableton tutorial - connect, setup & midi map

The Akai Amx is a highly versatile midi controller and is a powerful instrument when used in combination with Ableton Live. This midi controller has a great selection of features that make it perfect for your Ableton Live setup.

In this tutorial you will learn everything you need to know about using the Akai Amx with Ableton Live. including how to connect, setup and midi map the Amx.

Article Contents

1. Does the Akai Amx work with Ableton Live?
2. Does the Akai Amx come with ableton Live included?
3. How to connect the Amx to ableton
4. How to midi map the Akai Amx in Ableton Live
5. The Limitations of midi mapping the Amx
   1. Saving your Amx Midi Mappings is cumbersome
   2. Ableton MIDI mappings are one-to-one
   3. Limited Ableton parameter options to map to
   4. A great solution to these problems
6. Why can’t I hear my Push in Ableton Live?

Does the Akai Amx work with Ableton Live?

To sum it up, the Akai Amx is fully compatible with Ableton Live.

Although Ableton Live does not come with a MIDI remote script, the Amx can still be mapped to many of the software's functions.

All editions of Ableton Live, from Intro to Suite, can be used with any device that sends out MIDI data. This is the case for all versions of Live, 9, 10, or 11. Seeing as the Amx is a MIDI capable device, it is fully suited to function with Ableton Live.

You can easily create midi mappings for Ableton, allowing you to access many functions of Ableton Live with your Amx.

Does the Akai Amx come with ableton Live included?

Ableton Live Lite is not included with the Amx, therefore it must be bought separately.

There are three main versions of Ableton Live: Intro, Standard and Suite. Although Intro and Standard are both powerful, Suite offers extra features, such as 70GB of library sounds, in contrast to Standard's 10GB.

For those seeking the full range of Audio and MIDI effects, we highly suggest purchasing Ableton Live Suite, as it offers significantly more than the Standard edition.

How to connect the Amx to ableton

Connecting the Akai Amx with Ableton Live is pretty simple, and when the two are linked you'll be able to adjust the software's parameters from your midi controller.

1. Connect the Amx to your computer via USB.
First, connect the USB cable to both the Amx and your computer.
2. Launch Ableton Live and open the MIDI preferences.
Double click the Ableton Live icon to launch the software. Then, in the top menu of Ableton, go to the Preferences menu by opening the ‘Live’ menu and clicking ‘Preferences’.
3. Select the Amx from the list of available devices.
Click the the MIDI Sync tab, make sure that Input and Output for the Amx are checked.
4. Ensure that the ‘Track’, ‘Remote’ and ‘Sync’ boxes are all checked.
In the ‘MIDI’ section of this tab, make sure the ‘Track’ and ‘Remote’ boxes are checked for both the Input and Output of the Amx (Sync can also be optionally checked).

Set up of the Amx with Ableton Live is now complete.

How to midi map the akai mpk mini in Ableton Live

After linking up the Akai Amx to Ableton Live using the steps provided, you can now assign the physical buttons, pads, keys etc on the device to specific functions within Ableton Live via MIDI mapping as follows:

1. Select the MIDI Map Mode button in the top right corner of the Live window. The button should turn orange, indicating that the MIDI Map Mode is enabled.
2. Select the parameter you wish to control in Ableton by clicking it with the cursor, the parameter will become highlighted.
3. Move a control on the Amx, such as a knob or fader.
4. The parameter you selected is now mapped to the physical control which you moved on the Amx.
5. Moving the physical control on your Amx will now move the position of the corresponding parameter in Ableton.
6. Repeat steps 2 - 4 for any other parameters you wish to map.
7. When you’re finished mapping, press the MIDI Map Mode button again to disable it.

The Limitations of midi mapping the Amx

Ableton's midi mapping system provides a great way to quickly customize your Amx, though it does have a few limitations to be mindful of...

Saving your Amx Midi Mappings is cumbersome

Mappings are saved along with your Ableton session. Therefore, if a new session is created, you must re-map all of your controls.

Ableton MIDI mappings are one-to-one

With a one-to-one MIDI mapping, each control on your Amx can only be assigned to a single parameter in Ableton Live.

Limited Ableton parameter options to map to

Unfortunately, Ableton's internal midi mapping mode does not include every control options, options such as selected track control and selected device control unfortunately aren't possible. You can view a comprehensive list of all Ableton midi mapping options here.

We have a great solution to these problems

If you're looking to get the most out of your Amx, our Ableton Midi Script Creator tool 'Control Surface Studio' is exactly what you need!
With it, you'll be able to:
- save and re-use your Amx's mappings across all of your Ableton Live sessions,
- map multiple Ableton parameters to a single control on your Amx,
- access many more Ableton parameter controls for your Amx, than Live's internal midi mapping mode allows.

Learn more about Control Surface Studio and see how it can help you by clicking here!

FAQ / Troubleshooting

Why can't I hear my Amx in Ableton Live?

There are several possible causes:
1. Make sure that the Amx is connected properly to your computer via USB and that the cable is not damaged.
2. Make sure that the Amx is selected as your audio input and output device in your audio settings.
3. Make sure that the correct driver is installed for the Amx.
4. Make sure that the Amx is selected as the input device in Ableton's MIDI Preferences.